‘The X Factor’ USA: Simon Cowell talks hiring Paulina Rubio, Kelly Rowland

Simon Cowell has finally spoken out for the first time about his new panel on “The X Factor” USA, and he seems to be taking quite a bit of pleasure in not only breaking the two-men, two-women mold, but also had a few choice words about how “American Idol” did this past season.

In an interview with “Extra” (which should be his go-to place for interviews the rest of the year considering that Mario Lopez actually works there), the music mogul explained what was both a financial and personal decision not to hire someone with a $15 million salary in hopes of an ego clash:

“I’m bored by a bunch of millionaires bickering amongst themselves while somebody’s on stage going, ‘What about me?’ I can’t bear it any longer.”

Let’s be real here: Simon clearly will have no problem if judges fight, but he’s obviously hoping that it will be over a contestant to bring the focus back on what the show is supposed to actually be about. The reason that Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey were so terrible on “American Idol” was because they refused to even address each other most of the time, even by name. (If you’ll recall, Mariah was also paid an astounding $18 million to mostly sit around and give Nicki dirty looks, while occasionally giving a bit of decent feedback to a contestant.)

“The X Factor” has already started its auditioned for season 3 in South Carolina, and this will continue for the next several weeks. The “bootcamp” rounds, which are going to be hugely different than anything that we’ve seen before will take place a little later in the summer, with the judges’ houses taking place after that.

We like to occasionally be reminded that this show is about the contestants, so we will close here with a reminder that our latest “X Factor” notes, which features highlights from Carly Rose Sonenclar and others, can be viewed over at the link here.

Photo: Fox